COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine
Back to COVID-19 FAQs
14. If I have COVID-19 symptoms, how much will it cost to get tested? If I am COVID-19 positive, how much will treatment cost?
Medically necessary COVID-19 testing, testing-related services, and treatment are free with Medi-Cal. If you need to be screened, tested, or treated for COVID‑19, services are covered for emergency room, urgent care, and provider office visits. If you are uninsured, apply for the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program to see if you qualify for coverage of COVID-19 specific services.
Free at-home tests are available. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. You can place your order at Covid Tests or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
15. I am in restricted scope Medi-Cal and/or my immigration status has not been verified. Can I get Medi-Cal services related to COVID-19?
Yes. All Medi-Cal beneficiaries can get COVID-19 testing, testing-related services, and treatment during the public health emergency. All Medi-Cal beneficiaries can get medically necessary services for COVID-19 no matter if they are in full-scope or restricted scope Medi-Cal (Restricted scope Medi-Cal is pregnancy or pregnancy-related and emergency services only). You can get COVID-19-related services in both Medi-Cal managed care and fee-for-service Medi-Cal, regardless of your immigration status.
Federal immigration services have said that COVID-19 testing and treatment do not count in their “public charge" test. To learn more about public charge, you can also see the California Health and Human Services Agency Public Charge Guide (alert important change to public charge rule).
16. What individuals are covered to get the vaccine?
All Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including those getting limited or restricted scope Medi-Cal, are covered and can receive the vaccine at no cost.
17. Will individuals have to pay for the vaccine?
No. The vaccine is available to anyone who needs it (with or without Medi-Cal or other insurance) at no cost, regardless of immigration status.
18. Where can individuals get the vaccine?
Pharmacies, retail clinics, providers (including those enrolled in managed care plans), and any other care sites receiving and administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Additional information can be found on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website: CDPH Website
The “My Turn" website can be used to schedule appointments.
Additional information can be found at: MyTurn Website.
19. How many shots will be needed? Do I need to get a booster shot?
The number of shots will vary depending on which vaccine you receive.
- Two Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses should be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart.
- A third dose should be given at least 4 weeks (28 days) after the second dose, for individuals who are immunocompromised.
- For individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
- Two Moderna vaccine doses should be given 4 weeks (28 days) apart.
- A third dose should be given at least 4 weeks (28 days) after the second dose, for individuals who are immunocompromised.
- For individuals who received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
- Johnson & Johnson's Jansen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine currently requires only one dose.
- For individuals who received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
People with weakened immune systems aged ≥18 years who completed the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series and received an additional vaccine dose (i.e., a third dose) may receive a single COVID-19 booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or J&J/Janssen) at least 6 months after completing their third vaccine dose. In such situations, these individuals with weakened immune systems may receive a total of four COVID-19 vaccine doses.
If you receive a vaccine that requires two or more doses, you should get your follow-up shot(s) as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary. You should not get follow-up dose(s) earlier than the recommended interval.
If you are eligible to receive a booster shot, you may choose which vaccine you receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC's recommendations allow for this type of “mix and match" dosing for booster shots.
The eligible population(s) and dosing interval for a “mix and match" booster dose are the same as those authorized for a booster dose of the vaccine used for primary vaccination.
- For example, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine recipients falling into one of the authorized categories for boosters (see above) may receive a booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (half dose), Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine at least six months after completing their primary vaccination.
- In another example, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine recipients 18 years of age and older may receive a single booster dose of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, Moderna COVID19 Vaccine (half dose) or Pfizer‑BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at least two months after receiving their Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine primary vaccination.
Your health care provider will advise you when you should return for the second shot or a booster shot, as it varies by type of vaccine, as shown above. Additional information can be found here: COVID-19 website and CDC Website
20. Where can I learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine?
More than half of Californians age 12+ have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Learn more about how you can help end the COVID-19 pandemic:
- DHCS Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
- Popular Vaccination Topics – California Department of Public Health
- Getting Your Vaccine – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Pharmacies for making an appointment
Call the CDPH COVID-19 Hotline at (833) 422-4255. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
